T.B. TREATMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20667, 4 March 1937, Page 5

T.B. TREATMENT

DR. A. KIDD ON SWISS METHODS The good work that was being accomplished in Switzerland in the treatment of tuberculosis was explained to the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Association conference in Timaru yesterday by Dr. A. Kidd, medical superintendent of the Waiplata Sanatorium, who returned recently from a visit abroad. Dr. Kidd, who while in England was attached to a sanatorium which treated surgical tuberculosis, said that during the three months he was there he was disappointed at the results they obtained. The treatment was by ultra violet rays, accompanied by plastei’ splints. As a result of the splints the patients were discontented. “There was quite a changed atmosphere in Switzerland," said Dr. Kidd, who referred to the progress that had been made in fighting the disease at Lausanne, where the director was Dr. Rollier. No patient was in plaster and all of them were trained to lie quietly without support. They slept on their backs at night and lay on their chests during the day. They were treated chiefly by sunlight, Dr. Rollier, who had studied the position thoroughly, contending that artificial sunlight treatment was not to be compared with the natural. He did give his patients a little of the artificial light, but the main treatment was sunlight. Dr. Kidd explained that he had inquired from Dr. Rollier as to whether patients in the third stage did as well as others in Switzerland, and received the reply that there was no reason why they should not do as well. Another inquiry directed at Dr. Rollier was as to how he thought institutions planned

on Swiss lines would do in New Zealand. Dr. Rollier considered that they would be quite all right in spite of the fact that the Dominion did not have as much sunshine as Switzerland. A few dull days, he contended, were desirable, as patients could be given too much sun.